New York Passenger Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Violent Collision on Basketball Court Walking Track Aboard Carnival Celebration
James L. Greene, a resident and citizen of New York, has filed a formal maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The legal action, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-24902-RAR, details a violent accident that occurred while Greene was utilizing the designated walking and jogging track on Deck 18 of the Carnival Celebration on March 22, 2025. According to court filings, Greene was lawfully walking along the track while using a cane for physical assistance when another passenger participating in an active basketball game collided with the perimeter netting, propelling the player entirely through the barrier and directly into Greene, knocking him violently to the deck.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Carnival Celebration Deck 18 Walking Track After Basketball Player Crashes Through Loose Perimeter Netting
The complaint outlines a hazardous arrangement on Deck 18 of the Carnival Celebration, where the designated passenger walking track was placed immediately adjacent to an active basketball court. The only separation between pedestrians utilizing the track and passengers playing basketball was a loosely suspended, flexible piece of perimeter netting. This barrier proved completely inadequate to handle the momentum of active gameplay, allowing players who crashed into it to deflect the netting outward and invade the walking path. Greene asserts that he had no reason to anticipate the danger, as the layout created an unmitigated hazard where unsuspecting walkers sharing the outer deck were exposed to flying athletes from the adjacent sports court.
Carnival Accused of Negligent Maintenance, Defective Design, and Total Failure to Warn Walking Track Patrons of Sports Collision Hazards
The lawsuit brings multiple counts of negligence against Carnival, focusing heavily on negligent maintenance, negligent failure to warn, and negligent design. Legal counsel argues that Carnival had both actual and constructive notice of these dangerous conditions because the layout, spacing, and flexible perimeter netting were permanent features of the vessel that the cruise line routinely operated, monitored, and inspected. Despite this ongoing oversight, Carnival failed to perform adequate corrective measures, failed to install a rigid or more secure protective barrier, and failed to establish a safe buffer zone between high-speed athletic activities and passenger pedestrian walkways.
Plaintiff Seeks Substantial Compensation for Permanent Physical Injuries, Medical Expenses, and Past and Future Pain and Suffering
As a direct and proximate result of the collision, Greene sustained severe bodily trauma, including injuries to his left arm, left wrist, right shoulder, and lower back. The lawsuit emphasizes that these physical injuries are permanent or continuing in nature, resulting in ongoing physical impairment, disability, past and future medical expenses, emotional distress, and mental anguish. Greene argues that Carnival breached its non-delegable duty of reasonable care under maritime law by failing to provide a safe environment, omitting any warning signs regarding sports-related collision risks along the jogging track, and failing to restrict or redesign the hazardous proximity between the court and the walking path.
Contact a Cruise Ship Deck Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt Due to Unsafe Recreational Layouts or Onboard Collisions
Passengers injured by dangerous sports deck designs, inadequate protective barriers, or negligent crowd and activity management on cruise ships may be entitled to significant financial compensation under maritime law. Cruise operators have a strict legal duty to ensure that recreational zones, walking tracks, and athletic courts are properly spaced, designed, and maintained to protect guests from foreseeable harm. If you or someone you love has suffered injuries due to an unsafe condition or athletic collision on a cruise vessel, reach out to experienced legal professionals today to evaluate your rights and legal options.
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Disclaimer: Our firm does not represent the plaintiff in this case and is not involved in the litigation. The information provided is a summary of allegations based on publicly available court filings. We make no representations about the truth of these allegations, are not commenting on the merits of the case, and are not predicting any outcome.
